Migration and Return of Fish. 351 



whereof, such obstructions are fatal. I could then have 

 proved it by many witnesses ; and can now verify one 

 similar, by referring to Mr. Hagy; than whom there can 

 be no better authority. Sundry fishermen on the 

 Schuylkill, in the months of August and September, 

 when the young shad were descending the river, on 

 their way to the sea, marked, I believe, about one hun- 

 dred, in various modes. Some had slight scores, in the 

 fleshy parts ; and others had parts of their tails and fins 

 cut off. In the ensuing fishing season of the next year, 

 upwards of thirty of these fish, full grown, were 

 caught, at the fisheries, (mine included) above and be- 

 low the great falls. Other marked fish, undotabtedly, 

 passed up the stream. I have heard of more recent 

 proofs ; but have no personal knowledge of them. 



Thirty years ago, Mr. Hagy was acquainted with 

 similar facts. A considerable number of young shad 

 were marked, in various ways ; and above thirty of 

 them were caught at one now his own, and other fish- 

 eries in his vicinity, during the ensuing season. Pro- 

 bably, others were taken, at more distant fisheries, and 

 the marks unnoticed. There can be no more incon- 

 trovertible proofs, that fish, constantly and exclusive- 

 ly, return to the rivers in which they are bred, * Connec- 

 ticut river, formerly famous for the greatest plenty of 

 SALMON, having been obstructed, in many places, by 

 dams, has not now, (as I have heard,) in any parts of 

 its waters, one of that most valuable species of fish. 

 If they cannot arrive at their breeding places, they lin- 

 ger in the lower waters, for a season or two ; but they 



* See Note, page '15 o. 



